Frank- -"here's a famous fire, and I shall stay and enjoy it ;"—"Yes," said Harry, “here's a famous fire, and I should like to stay and enjoy it; but that would not be self-denial, would it, Frank?"

"Nonsense!" said Frank," I shall not stir yet, I promise you."-"Then good night to you," said Harry.

Now, whether or not his brother was correct in his opinion of Harry's want of genius, we shall not stay to inquire: indeed it is a question of very little importance, either to us or to him: since it cannot be denied, that his reflections, and his conduct, on this occasion, displayed good sense, good principle, and strength of character; and these are sterling qualities, for which the brightest sparks of genius would be a poor exchange.

Six o'clock was the time at which Harry was expected to rise; but not unfrequently since the cold weather set in, he had indulged an hour longer. When it struck six next morning, he started up, but the air felt so frosty, that he had a strong inclination to lie down again. "But no!" thought he-" here is a fine opportunity for self-denial;' and up he jumped without farther hesitation.

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Frank, Frank," said he to his sleeping brother-" past six o'clock, and a fine star-light morning."

"Let me alone," cried Frank, in a cross, drowsy voice." Very well then; a pleasant nap to you," said Harry, and down he ran as gay as a lark.

After finishing his Latin exercise, he had time to take a pleasant walk before breakfast this

morning; so that he came in fresh and rosy; with a good appetite; and, what was still better in a good humour.

But, poor Frank, who had just tumbled out of bed when the bell rang for prayer, came down, looking pale, and cross, and cold, and discontented. Harry, who, if he was no genius, had some sly drollery of his own, was just beginning to rally him on his forlorn appearance, when he recollected his resolution,-"Frank does not like to be laughed at, especially when he is cross," thought he; so he suppressed his joke; and it requires some self denial, even to suppress a joke.

During breakfast, his father promised that if" the weather continued fine, Harry should ride out with him before dinner on the grey pony.Harry was much delighted with this proposal, and the thought of it occurred to him very often during the business of the morning. The sun shone cheerily in at the parlour windows, and seemed to promise fair for a fine day. About noon, however, it became rather cloudy, and Harry was somewhat startled to perceive a few large drops upon the flag-stones in the court: he equipped himself, nevertheless, in his great coat at the time appointed, and stood playing with his whip in the hall, waiting to see the horses led out. His mother now passing by, said, "My dear boy, I am afraid there can be no riding this morning; do you see that the stones are quite wet ?""Dear mother," said Harry, "you surely do not imagine that I am afraid of a few drops of rain! besides, I don't believe it rains at all now." "It seems to me to be coming up very heavy from

the south," said his mother." It will be no more than a shower, at any rate," replied Harry.Just then his father came in: who looked first at the clouds, then at the barometer, then at Harry, and shook his head.

"You intend to go, papa, don't you?" said Harry.

"I must go, I have business to do; but I believe, Harry, it will be better for you to stay at home this morning," said his father.

"But, sir," repeated Harry, "do you think it possible, now, that this little sprinkling of rain should do me the least harm in the world?-with my great coat, and all!"--" Yes, Harry,” said his father, "I do think that even this sprinkling of rain may do you harm, as you have not been quite well: I think, too, it will be more than a sprinkling. But you shall decide, on this occasion, for yourself. I know you have some self-command. I shall only tell you that your going this morning would make your mother uneasy; and that we both think it improper ; now determine."

Harry again looked at the clouds; at the stones; at his boots; and last of all, at his kind mother, and then he recollected himself:"This," thought he, " is the best opportunity for self-denial that I have had to-day; and he immediately ran out to tell Roger that he need not saddle the grey poney."

"I should like another half, I think, mother," said Frank, that day at dinner, just as he had despatched a large hemisphere of mince pie. "Any more for you, my dear Harry?" said his mother.

"If you please-no thank you, though," said Harry, withdrawing his plate, "for," thought he, "I have had enough, and more than enough to satisfy my hunger; and now is the time for selfdenial."

"Brother Harry," said his little sister, after dinner," when will you show me how to do that pretty puzzle? you said you would a long time 'ago.'

"I am busy now, child," said Harry,—" don't tease me now, there's a good girl."-She said no more, but looked disappointed, and still hung upon her brother's chair.-"Come, then," said he, suddenly recollecting himself; “bring me your puzzle ;" and laying down his book, he very good naturedly showed his little sister how to place it.

That night, when the two boys were going to bed, Harry called to mind, with some complacency, the several instances in the course of the day in which he had succeeded in exercising self-denial; and he was on the very point of enumerating them to his brother Frank. "But, no," thought he, "here is another opportunity still of denying myself; I will not say a word about it; besides, to boast of it would spoil all."

So Harry laid down quietly; making the following sage reflections : "This has been a pleasant day to me; although I have had one great disappointment in it, and done several things against my will. I find that self denial is painful for a moment, but very agreeable in the end. If I go on this plan every day, I shall stand a good chance of having a happy life; for life is made up of days and hours, and it will be just as pleaVOL. I. N

sant and as easy:" but here Harry's thoughts began to wander, and soon became quite indistinct. In fact, he was sound asleep before he had half finished his reflections: the remainder must be supplied by the reader.

One of them, will doubtless, be this,-that self-denial is no sinecure virtue; nor one which may be reserved for a few great occasions in life; but that it is wanted every day, and every hour; that is, as often as we are tempted to selfindulgence.

XXI.

A FABLE.

AN idle weed that used to crawl
Unseen behind the garden wall,
(Its most becoming station ;)

At last,-refresh'd by sun and showers,
Which nourish weeds as well as flowers—
Amused its solitary hours

With thoughts of elevation.

Those thoughts encouraged day by day,
It shot forth many an upward spray,
And many a tendril band:

But as it could not climb alone,
It utter'd oft a lazy groan

To moss and mortar, stick and stone,
To lend a helping hand.

At length, by friendly arms sustain'd,
The aspiring vegetable gain'd
The object of its labours:

That which had cost her many a sigh,
And nothing less would satisfy—
Which was not only being high,
But higher than her neighbours.